Natural solutions

Is your complicated skincare routine not working? Honey is the simple solution.

By Shelby Evans, Lifestyle Editor Photographed by Emma Gray, Staff Photographer Honey has been used in many different ways for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used honey as a sweetener and as a sign of royalty for the Pharaohs. Even Cleopatra was known to have taken honey and milk baths to keep her skin glowing. Ancient Greeks used it for its medical healing powers and early Christians used it with beeswax in their candles.1 I used it to cure my acne. Honey’s viscous properties make the substance seem like more of a nuisance to work with than a healing solution. However, I’ve taken to putting honey directly on my skin, stickiness and all, to help with my dry skin and cystic acne. Honey has naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, giving honey antibacterial properties. When applied to a surface, it kills harmful bacteria or pathogens. Honey soothes inflammatory breakouts and helps the skin naturally speed up its healing process after coming in contact with bacteria on the skin.2

When it comes to skincare, Manuka honey is the best option. Because Manuka honey is unpasteurized, it has many of

1 User, Super. “A Brief History of Honey.” The Honey Association - Home. 2 Ginta, Daniela. “Manuka Honey for Acne: Does It Work?” Healthline. these antibacterial properties still intact. Using honey to help hydrate skin and fight bacteria has become so popular with acne treatment that many skincare companies now feature honey-based products. Buying products that advertise real honey can be a game of desirable marketing and little truth. When I was dealing with my cystic acne, I made a point to buy the ingredients for my skincare ethically and directly from the sources. That way, I could mix my own treatment and know exactly what was going on my face. One thing that worked wonders for me were different variations of a honey and oat mask. Both substances are moisturizing and gently exfoliate the skin. There was a couple of months where I simply mixed milk and honey together before using it to wash my face. Now that either the honey (or my age) has cleared my acne, I still turn to it in the depths of winter to heal my cracking skin. The simple fix was just adding a layer of honey to sit on my face for a few minutes. There are recipes on the internet that mix honey with yogurt, or even avocado’s, but Manuka honey was all I needed. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. I, like many in their twenties, struggled with changes to my skin. It can be hard to deal with acne on top of everything else that comes along with being a young adult. In a crowded skincare market where companies try to sell us the latest “miracle” products, sometimes we need to step back and try what has been working for people for thousands of years. Just add honey! ■